She taisatstaiiddligenter, PIIIILIIIILED =Tzar Wisztinahur sr COOPER, sANDE,Boollir & Co. 'J. M. C 007.11, H. Q Siam, Wm. A. Mon Tort, B.urplcasolr TERMS—Two Dollars and Fifty Cents per annum, payable all eases in advance. OFFICE--SOUTHWEET CORICEE. O CENTRE SQUARE. All on business should dressed to letters COOPER, SANDERS ON .SL CO. be ad-, NOttq: For the Intelligencer. Taxation. All we drink, and all we eat, Pickles sour, sugar sweet, Mutton, veal, and pork and meat And the" fa.shlons on' the street, Splendid, beautifully neat— All are taxed by Uncle Sam. Since our Nation has a wound, When on market we go round Soon we hear the doleful sound, Butter fifty cents a pound And to pay it we are bound— All is taxed by Uncle Sam. When we knock at Hageris door, Who is keeping dry goods' store, Find how much he's asking more Than he did in days before. Oh ! it makes our hearts feel sore— All is taxed by Uncle Sam. Whey.sometimes unwell we feel, When we have the agne, chills, Or some other inward ills, And Long sells a box of pills, For a stamp we pay our bills— All is taxed, by Uncle Sam. When sometimes we walk about, Up to Cooper's down to Trout, To have pastime, see what's out, Drinks cost fifteen cents about; Thus we see beyond a doubt— All is taxed by Uncle Sam. Tho we ask for nothing rare, Try to save with busy care, Still, alas! how ill we fare, All we need, and all we wear, All we mend, and all we tear, Leads us almost to despair— All is taxed by Uncle Sam. Hear the poor man standing by, Hear him groan :mid hear him sigh Since war makes taxation high, 'Tis hard to pay and hard to buy ; And harder far to live than die— For all is taxed by LT uncle Sam. "r,enough to set one mad, Thu some tyrants may be glad Never was the world more sad Moore polluted, vile and bud, As since this cruel war we:had— And all is taxed by Uncle Stun. Dig the poor man's early grave, Here he can no pleasure - have— Save or a cowering slave, Since this Union can't be savbil— And all is taxed by Father Abe. A PLOW BOY Xiterarii. Gen. Jackson and his Clerk While Gen. Jackson was President of the United States, he was tormented day after day by importunate visitors, (as most Chief Magistrates of this great_ nation arei, whom he did not care to see, and in consequence gave strict di rections to the messenger at the door to admit only certain persons on a particu lar day, when lie was more, busy with State affairs than usual. In spite of the peremptory orders, however, the attendant bolted into the apartment during the afternoon and in formed the General that a person was outside whom he could not control, and who claimed to see him, orders or no orders. " I won't submit to this annoyance," exclaimed the old gentleman nervously, " who is it?" " Don't know, sir." " Don't know! What's his name?'' "His name! Beg your pardon, sir, it's a woman." "A woman! Show her in," said the President, wiping his face, and in the next moment there entered the Gen eral's apartment a neatly clad female of past the middle age, who advanced courteously towards the old gentleman and accepted the chair offered her. "Be seated, madam," he said. "Thank you," said the lady, throwing aside her veil, revealing .a handsome face to her entertainer, "my mission hither to-day, General," continued the fair speaker, "is a novel one, and you can aid me, perhaps." " Madam," said the General, " com mand me." " You are very kind,sir. lam a poor woman, General—" " Poverty is no crime, madam." "No, sir. But I have a little family to care for. Pin a widow, sir, and a clerk employed in one of the Depart ments of your Administration is indebt ed to me for board to a considerable amount, which I cannot collect. I need the money badly, and came to ask if a portion of his pay cannot be stopped from time to time until this claim of mine, an honest one, General, of which he had his full value, shall be can celled. " I really—madam—that is, I have no control in that way. - What is the amount of the bill ?" " Seventy dollars, sir, here it is." " Exactly, I see ; and his salary, mad " It is said to be $l;200 a year." " And not pay his board bill." " As you see, sir, this has been stand ing five months unpaid. Three days hence he will draw his monthly pay, and I thought, sir, if you would lie kind enough to—" " Yes, I have it. Go'' - to him again, and get his note for thirty days." " His note, sir ! It wouldn't be worth the paper on which it was written, he pays no one a dollar voluntarily." " But he will give you his note, will he not, madam ?" "Oh, yes, he would no doubt be glad to have a respite in that way for a month." " That's right then. Go to him and obtain his note at thirty days from to day ; give him a receipt in full, and come to me this evening." The lady departed, called upon the clerk, and dunned him for the amount., at which heonly smiled, and she finally asked him for his note. "To be sure," said he with a chuckle, " give a note? Sart'n and much good may it do_you mum." " You'll pay it when it falls due, won't you?" said the lady. " Oh certainly," was the reply. In the evening she again repaired to the White House with the note. The President put his broad endorsement dia the back and directed her to obtain the cash at the bank. . In due time a notice was sent to the clerk that a note signed by him would be due on a particular day, which lie was requested to pay. At first John could not conceive the source from Whence the demand came; and supposing that it had only been left for collection, was half resolved to take no notice of it. But as he passed down the avenue, the unpaid board bill suddenly entered his head. " Who has been foolish enough to help the woman this business, I wonder," said John to himself. " I'll go and see. It's a hum L know ; but I'd like to know if she's really fooled anybody with that bit of paper," and entering the bank, he asked for the note that had been left there for col -lection against him. "It was discounted," replied the tel ler. • "Discounted! Who in the world will discount nay note?" asked the clerk.• " Anybody with such a backer as you have on this." " Backer ? me—backer—who?" "Here's the note; you can see," said the teller, handing him the document, on which he recognized the bold signature of President jaeltion." "Sold truly It , exclaimed John, with a hysteric gasp, and drawing forth the money, for he saw through the arrange- ,1,.:4/tt:o . o'• - • - ..' . .,• . ':''.- . ..S*t4.ti'4•S'i*.- VOLUME 66. ment at a glance. The note was paid, of course, and justice was awarded the spendthrift. On the next morning he found upon his desk a note, which contained the fol lowing bit of personal intelligence : "Sir : A change has been made in your office. lam directed by the Pres ident to inform you that your services will no longer be needed in this depart ment. Yours, &c., John S— retired to private life at once, and thenceforth found it conve nient to liven a much smaller alloVv ance than $1,200 a year. A New Use for History If there is a thing in the world that is calculated to arouse a lively appreciation of the ludicrous in any man's mind, it is seeing the eccentricitiesof an intox icated man trying to reach home or any of her given point after nightfall. Afew evenings since a novel and laughable scene was witnessed on Clark street. An unfortunate citizen, who did not have more liquor than he could carry, but who was in a condition to indicate that he had better gone twice for his load was endeavoring to reach Polk street, going down Clark. He accosted a. gen tleman who happened to be less weighty than himself and inquired the name of the street he was passing. This is Washington street," was reply. Wash'ii--Wash'n--Washn'ton. — rere's Jeffs'n?" Jefferson is on the west side." The d'l it is, Jeffer—Jefrson on 's west side... Where's Mad'son?'' " Madison is the next street south, and the next is Monroe." " Mad'son and Wn roe. This is Wash 'nton. Where's Buchanan street"" " No such street in the city." " No Buchanan street city ? Look here, stranger, I th—think you've got the Presidents mixed."- l_iut the joke was not complete till he had gone to a book-store On Madison street and inquired for a history of the United states, When asked if he want ed to purchase, he said not, he merely wanted to see the order in which our Presidents came, so that he could find his way home. Parties who saw him and heard him, vouch for the material facts above stated.—[ Chicago Times. Iler An amusing incident took place at a music store on Main street, the other day, which is worth relating. A fast young woman, who was dressed more like one of our young Mississippi country lasses than a city belle, entered the store in question, and asked the salesman to show her the latest musical publications. The young clerk, mis taking her for a "green 'un," handed down for her inspection " Ben Bolt," " Annie Laurie," " The Last Rose of Summer " and the " Old Arm Chair." " Are these the latest publications you have ?" inquired the female. " Yes, madam, these are the latest publications issued," responded the sales man. " Do you know what I wish you would do with them ?" replied the woman. " Wrap them up for you, madam ?" answered the clerk. " - No," said she,• " I haven't time to ake them now." " I will do what you wish with them madam,"politely repliedthe young man. " Well, then," she reponded, " you may place this Old Arm Chair' aside, seat Annie Laurie' in it, give her 'The Last Rose of Summer' to use as she pleases, and put old Ben Bolt' to kiss ing her, and let them kiss away until I rdtVl7."—Cairo _Yews. A Clerical Anecdote. The Rev. P—, of Brooklyn, belong ing to the old school divines, while at tending to his usual Sabbath ministra tions, managed to discover who of his congregation were absent, his first duty - On Monday morning being to call on the absentees and to find out why they were not at church. Among those whose places were often vacant, was one man who cared but little for the sanctity of the holy day, or the reproof of the minister On taking his usual Monday morning rounds. Mr. P was sure to visit Mr. C., as we will call him. Said the good man, " Why were you not at church yesterday ?" " Had other business to attend to," was the blunt reply. " Mr. C.," said the clergymen, sol emnly, " there will he no preaching in hell." " Well, it won't be for the want of ministers," was the quick rejoinder. This was a hard cut, and the good old doctor shook his head, and went on his way, ruminating, doubtless, upon the doctrine of total depravity A " Shoddy" Hearse The Philadelphia North American, of the 24th ult., says: A vehicle has just been completed in this city that may very safely be asserted to be the most sumptuous affair of the kind in the United states. It is a hearse built to the order of a fashionable sexton in San Francisco. There is nothing nearly so elaborate eitherin Philadelphia or New York, and the same taste for splendor that San Francisco manifests on her bar-rooms and club-houses is shown by this undertaker in the order he has given for his imperial hearse. The body, which measures seven feet on the inside, is oval in shape, constructed of plate glass, like two monster mirrors standing upon their side, about five feet apart. The wood work in which they are set, and which is the frame of the body, is in ebony and gold, every detail of the work being as perfect as in the most delicate ornament for the etageres. There are two sets of cashmere curtains tasseling and fringes, and hammer cloths to correspond. One set is white, the other blue, and two sets of plumes for the tops are provided to match. There are gilded crosses upon the top of the vehicle, that are removable at pleasurb. The mountings are of gilded brass, and the iron work is of the most costly and highly finished description, fire gilt. There is not a town in England where some one chemist does not on Saturday night load his counter with little bottles of laudanum ; and it is as serted by a wholesale druggist that he could and did sell it in the eastern coun ties to the extent of some thousands of pounds weight in a year. This gentle man' an old and keen observer, declares that the demand sprung up shortly after the introduction of teetotalism, and that it would be found to vary everywhere, in accordance with the progress or de cline of the system of total abstinence. IX9- The Washington papers, speak ing of the state of public morals there, say that rogues have-grown so bold as to steal the brass banisters from the stair ways of the new Capitol, to sell to junk dealers! It is a mercy they haven't stolen the Capitol building itself. Piortilanaimp. Reading for the Ladies. From La Forte for January : Paris For toilettes de visite, moire, satin, faille silk (that is unwatered moire), taf fetas antique, and velvet, are much worn. The figured moires are still in fashion, and require very little trimming. Passe menterie with beads is much worn with Secretary silk ; fur, lace or feather trimming is more suitable for satin and velvet. Double skirts are often seen, either for visiting, dinner or ball dress. If closed all round, they are generally looped up ; if open, the openings are at the back, as well as at the front. In many cases these skirts are made of different colors and materials, such as moire or satin over velvet, or two shades of the same color. This fashion of wearing double skirts is much adopted for ball dresses, the under skirt generally being white, and the tunic of color. The low body with coat basques will be much worn if the dress is of silk. This corsage can be made of black velvet, handsomely trimmed with jet beads or seed pearls. The sorties de bal have not altered much in form, the circular being the favorite shape. This, if made in white plush, with a thick llama -or chenille fringe, is very elegant and suitable to the seasons. Many opera cloaks that we have seen were of scarlet, trimmed with black lace, or embroidered in black and white floss silks. The little hoods, now worn over the head-dress during the transit to and from the carriage, are very pretty, and in many cases becom ing. We give the preference to the Marie Stuart shape, with a deep curtain falling over the shoulders. If these are made in lace or some transparent ma terials, they are, of course, lined to match the dress or cloak which they ac company. The most elegant cloaks for morning wear are made of the " Mount St. Ber nard" cloth ; the half-fitting paletot being the most fashionable form for this material. If made in white, these cloaks are excessively distingues, but only suitable for carriageand quiet dress wear. Mantle of velvet pile or cloth are trimmed with passementerie, or the curly Astrakan ; other furs and feather ornaments being reserved for velvet. Beaded passementerie is very success fully employed with guipure on both dresses and cloaks. Last winter the cloaks that were trimmed with fur had one rouleau only. This season the cloaks are edged witli.,:t deep band of fur; the revers, collar and epaulettes are also of fur. We have i t seen one half-fitting paletot of lei. ot velvet, trimmed with a broad bal' f Chinchilla ; a deep pelerine of the s e, pointed at the back and front. Small epaulettes and cuffs of the same fur. This paletot. was lined with quilted white silk, and was intended to be worn with a violet velvet dress, trim med with a band of Chinchilla, carried round the skirt and up the back seam. The' bonnet was of violet velvet, the crown being formed of drooping white feathers. The muff' of violet quilted satin, edged with Chinchilla. The boots of violet velvet, with band of fur round the ankle. Bonnets have not altered in form since we last wrote on the subject, the curtain having entirely disappeared. Ball coiffures are more elegant than ever. Holly, with berries and icicles of glass, forms a very pretty and suitable head-dress for this season. In fact, no wreath or flower head-dress is consider ed complete without these icicles or dew drops. For elderly ladies the fanclion of lace over flowers and blonde is the prevail ing style. We see a great quantity of quilted vel vet and satin, both for bonnets and muffs • the latter, if made only out of plain fur,.are considered quite negligee, excepting for young ladies. The rule for young ladies' dress is the same that always has been, and we suppose always will in vogue, viz : what is demi-toilette for married ladies is visiting dress for young girls ; moires, velvets and satins never , being worn by any young unmar ried lady, with the least knowledge of the art of dress. It being an impossibility to describe all, or even a part, of the many styles and materials now worn, we shall select a few of the best models, and describe them for the benefit of our readers. Bright colors are much more worn this winter than usual, as will be observed from the accompanying descriptions. The following dress was intended for a wedding:—The material was white silk; on the skirt were three narrow nauve flounces, edged with blonde, and put on in festoons. Above each point was a rosette of nauve silk and white blonde. The body was of white silk with pearl buttons, the sleeves being tight to the wrist. With this was worn a small jacket, withoutsleeves, of nauve silk, trimmed with a double white blonde, on which was a narrow white bugle trimming. We have seen an apple-green silk dress, with tuyaute flounces ; in each of the spaces a hanging button of the same color was placed. The body was high, with halt tight sleeves. Over this dress was a tunic of black glace silk, open up the back and front, edged with a thick black and green twisted cord, formed into an ornament at each seam. An open body of black silk, with coat barques, trimmed round and up the seams, with black hanging buttons smaller than those on the skirt. We have also seen this made in a plaid silk dress, over a plain silk skirt. In some cases, with these double skirts, or tunics, the skirt and body are made in one piece, without pleats or gathers, in the princesse form. Another dress was of moire antique, with broad blue and white stripes. The bottom of the skirt was trimmed with a white guipure, eleven inches wide. Above this a chenille fringe, with white bugle beads; corsage habit of the same; , trimmed like the skirt, over an undor waistcoat of white moire, embroidered in blue silk. A first skirt of violet satin, with small lace medallions. Over this an upper skirt of violet velvet, 'open back and front, and edged with a double row of black guipure. When a double row of lace is mentioned, the two laces are placed edge to edge, so as to have a heading each way. A dress of Russian grey silk, with vel vet embroidered spots ; the skirt trim med with three very narrow tuvautes of ribbon, alternately grey and violet, about nine inches of each color. The flounces are placed so that the violet comes above the grey, and vice versa. The body made quite plain, with bretelles of silk trimmed like the skirts. These are fastened behind, and hang in long oar shaped ends. Blue popin dress, so gored as to be nearly plain around the waist. The skirt scalloped round the bottom, and edged with thick twisted silk cord. The body is made with four points, one in front, another at the back, and one on each side ; the cord carried around the waist, and fastened by a tasserat each point. Across the front are three rows of cord, fastened on the shoulder by an - ornament and tassels. This dress was to be worn with a black velvet pilejacket ornamented with black cords. The bon net prepared to accompany it was of quilted blue satin, with a fanchon of black velvet. We have seen several very elegant ball dresses, from which we select the ollowin g: White silk skirt bouillonnee up to the knee. These bouillons of tulle are put on in a slanting direction. Above this skirt is worn a tunic of white tulle of the same length as the under skirt, and looped up with strings of pearl. At the right side is a long spray of fern leaves and dewdrops, fastened at the waist, and descending to support the tunic. The body is of white tulle, draped with ceinture Suisse of white silk, edged, top and bottom, with A narrow row of fern leaves. The fan to be used with this dress was also made in imita tion of fern leaves. Another, for morning wear, was of mauve tulle, with live very narrow anted Somme, edged alternately with LANCASTER, PA., WEDNESDAY MORNING-, FEBRUARY 1, 1865. The" Fashions white and black blonde. Three of these flounces were carried up each seam. The tunic was of mauve •silk, open at each side, where it was faced across by white and black blondes, spangled With white bugles. The body was also of mauve silk, trimmed with black and white blonde. The opera cloak to be worn with this dress of Yak lace, over mauve silk. Another was of black tulle, over black satin, with four bouillonnes of the same; on these were fastened small bunches of gold grapes and leaves. These bouillonnes were continued quite up the front breadth. Over this skirt was a tunic of black satin, open in front and very long behind, embroidered all round in gold embroidery of grapes and leaves. The body was of black tulle and satin, with ornaments of gold grapes on the sqoulders. The wide waistbands so much in favor a little while ago are rapidly disappear ing, and giving place to those of a me dium size. When the wide ones are used they are mostly fastened at the back or sides with a rosette instead of a buckle. The sashes are stlil fastened in the.same manner, and have very wide ends. • - . We have seen two or three lace coats, intended to be worn over low bodies. One of the low black velvet bodies in tended for evening wear had no sleeves, and was pointed at top and bottom. A deep lace was carried round the waist, and formed into the coat basque at the back. This body was intended to bp worn over a white satin *ess, trimmed with black lace and pearls. There is no alteration in the form of cuffs and collars at present; they are still embroidered with white or colored bees, butterflies, fleurs de Hs, &c. The most fashionable ornament at the pres ent moment is in the shape of a swal low. Crests and initials are sometimes em broidered on cuffs and collars, as well as handkerchiefs, the latter being very handsome, though our elegantes have at length understood that these articles are for the pocket, and no longer display them in the hand. Small veils are mnch worn, and ap pear likely to continue in favor. We are very happy to see the decided return of necklaces; they are not con fined to evening wear, but accompany morning toilets, though, of course, ip a modified form. The long chains of beads have become excessively vulgar; one row close round the throat, with a medallion, is sometimes worn. But the most elegant of these collars are of plain ribbon velvet, fastened with a snap, and ornamented with gold coins; small sprays of steel-work. Cameo or portrait medallions are much worn ; they are suspended from the collar or from a small chain. The vestes Busses are much in fashion; they are made for either simple or ele gant toilets. We have seen several dresses of moire or light satin, made with these jackets, accompanied by the chemisettesßusses. These, if intended to be worn with silk or dressy mate rials, are made of tulle, or very fine muslin, with lace insertions; or with frills of lace and open work insertions, in which are cerise colored velvets. Sonic are made of black and white lace, others entirely of English point. If in tended for demi-toilette, they are in foulard or cachemire trimmed with the cachemire braid so ranch in vogue. Lingerie for toilettes de ville is still linen of batiste, embroidered with simple Valenciennes, either edging or inser tion, the collars still very small ; the cravats of silk, in cashmere pattern. Early'Potatoes Fvery family—in the country at least —should have them plentifully by the first of August, and by taking some some pains may begin to use them by the Fourth of July. The first thing to be considered is the soil. It should be a comparatively dry and sandy soil, rather than a wet, black loam. A fresh or new soil is greatly preferable—one recently covered with grass, or what is still better, scrub oaks, sweet fern, black berry and huckleberry bushes. Such a soil, when wellploughed and harrowed, will be light, and will abound with the alkalies and alkalide earths that the potato requires. The situation selected should he an open but a warm one —along the sitke of an old fence or wall, where bushes have been growing for half a century, or less, and exposed to the morning sun. On such a soil and in such a situation the plants will start early and come to maturity rapidly ; and if the variety planted be a good one, the tubers grown will have a sweet and agreeable flavor. Some of the varieties used for early planting are the Jackson White, White Chenango, which come quite early, the Early Blue, and others. Burr says the Ash-leaved Kidney is one of the earliest varieties, and that the Early Blue is one of the : earliest of the garden potatoes, of fine quality, and one of the best for forcing for early crops. If the ground was not prepared last fall, it should be made ready as soon as the frost is out, so that it can be plowed six inches deep, and the pota toes planted. In order to facilitate the crop some persons set a barrel of seed by the kitch en stove about the middle of March, where they remain until sprouts have started half an inch in length. In this case the top of the potatoes must be covered with loam or A cloth to keep out the light. Others lay a bushel or two of seed upon grass ground, in some warm spot, and cover them with horse manure sufficiently deep to keep them warm. They will sproutreadily in this condition if they are kept moist and warm, and can be got at to plant more easily than from a barrel. Others still, who only require a few, start them in hot beds. Planting should take place just as soon as the soil is dry enough to admit of working it. Plant, if there is a dry sur face sufficient to cover with, even if the frost is a foot deep below. Before plant ing prepare liberal holes and fill them with a shovelful of horse-stable manure. Cover this with a sprinkling of fresh, damp mould, and place the " set" or seed on this and cover three inches deep. Mr. J. Knight says that if the "sets" are placed with their leading buds upward, a few and very strong early stems will be produced ; but if the position be re versed, many weak and later shoots will arise, and not only the earliness, but the quality of the produce, be depreciated. By putting the above suggestions in practice every person may expect a fine dish of nearly ripened potatoes for his Pourth of July dinner, with his roasted lamb and green peas, and an abundant supply after the 20th of the same month. How can the farmer add to the comfort and health of his family in a better way? Rather Blue- T -Cholee of Colors The following is related as a fact in a Vienna journal : " A young man, who was paying as siduous court to the wife of a dyer, had the misfortune to be caught by the en raged husband, who called his workmen about. him, and, without any ceremony the gallant was plunged into a cauldron prepared for imparting a true blue color to various fabrics. In a second the un fortunate youth had aelluired such a tint that he dared not appear in public. His friends implored the dyer to restore the poor fellow to his natural hue, but the pitiless answer' was, ' It Is impossible. He is of a beautiful color and all I can do for him into ohmage him to green or violet."' Letter from Jeff. BOIS on the Plans for Reconstruction. RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 17, 1664. To the Hon. Senators of Georgia, Messrs, A. R. - Wight, President of the Senate, T. L. Guer ry. T. M. Chambers, Thomas K. Lloyd, Fred erick K. West, Robert B. Nesbit: GENTLEMEN : I answered by tele graph this morning your letter of the 11th inst., as requested, and now re spectfully comply with your desire that I should express my views on the sub ject to which you invite my attention. In forwarding to me the resolutions introduced into the House of Repre sentatives of Georgia by Mr. Stephens, of Hancock, you state that you are not inclined to favor the passage of these or any similar resolutions, btlieving them to have a tendency to create divisions among ourselves, and to unite and strengthen our enemies, but that it is asserted in Milledgeville that I favor such action on the part : of the States, and would be pleased tosee Georgia cast her influence in that way. You are kind enough to say that if this be true, and if the passage of these or similar rosolutions would in the slightest de gree aid or assist me in bringing the war to a successful and speedy close, you will give them your earnest and hearty support. I return you my cordial thanks for this expression of confl-, dente, but assure you that there is no truth in the assertions which you mention ; and I presume that you will will already have seen, by the closing part of my annual messagg which must have reached you since the date of your letter, that I have not contemplated the use of any other agency in treating for peace than that established by the con stitution of the Confederate States.— That agency seems to me to be well adapted to its purpose and free from the injurious consequences that would fol low any other means that have been suggested. The objection to separate State action which you present in your letter appears to be so conclusive as to admit of no reply. The immediate and inevitable tendency of such distinct action by each State is to create discor dant instead of united counsels, to sug gest to our enemies the possibility of a dissolution of the confederacy, and to encourage them by the spectacle of our divisions to more determined and united action against us. They would readily adopt the false idea that some of the States of the confederacy are disposed to abandon their sister States and make separate terms of peace for themselves ; and if such a suspicion, however un founded, were once engendered among our own people, it would be destructive of that spirit of mutual confidence and support which forms our chief reliance for success in the maintenance of our cause. When the proposal of separate State action was first mooted, it appeared to us so impracticable,so void of any prom ise of good, that I gave no heed to the proposal ; but upon its adoption by citi zens whose position and Ability gave weight to the expression of their opin ions, I was led to a serious consideration of the subject. My first impressions have not been changed by reflection.— If all the States of the two hostile feder ations are to meet in convention, it is plain that such a meeting can only take place after an agreement as to time, place and terms on which they are too meet. Now, without diset&sing the mi nor, although not trifling difficulties of agreeing as to time and place, it is cer tain that the States would never consent to a conventionjwithout aprevious agree ment as to terms on which they were to meet. The proposed convention mnst Meet on the basis either that no State should against its own will be bound by the decision of the convention, or that it should be so bound. But it is plain that an agreement on the basis that no State should be bound, without its con sent, by the result of the deliberations, would be an abandonment on the part of the North of its pretended right of coercion—would be an absolute recog nition of the independence of the several States of the confederacy—would be, in a word, so complete-a concession of the rightfulness of our cause that the most visionary cannot hope for such an agree ment. In advance of meetingof a convention the only other possible basis of meeting s that each State should agree before hand to be bound by their decision of the convention ; and such agreement is but another form of submission, of Northern dominion, as we well know in such a convention we should be out numbered nearly two to one on every threshold of the scheme proposed. Therefore we are met by an obstacle which cannot be removed. Is not the impracticable character of the project apparent? You will observe that I leave entirely out of view the suggestion that a con vention of all the States of both federa- Lions should be held by common con sent, without any previous understand ing as to the effect of its decisions— should meet merely to debate and pass resolutions that are to bind no one. It is not supposed that this can really be the meaning attached to the proposal by those who are active in its support, although the resolutions to which you invite my attention declare the function of such a convention would lie simply to propose a plan of peace with the con- sent of the two belligerents—or, in other words, to act as negotiators in treating for peace. This part of the scheme is not intelligible to me. If the convention is only to be held with the consent of the two bellig erents, that consent cannot be obtained without negotiation. The plan, then, would resolve itself into a scheme that the two governments should negotiate an agreemenL.for the appointment of negotiators to make proposals for a treaty. It seems much more prompt and simple to negotiate for peace at once, than to negotiate for the appoint ment of negotiators, who ,are to meet without power to do anything but make proposals. If the government of the United States is willing to make peace t will treat, for peace directly. If un willing, it will refuse to consent to a convention of States. - The author of these resolutions, and hose who concur in his views, appear to me to commit the radical error of supposing that the obstacle to obtaining the peace which we all desire consists in the difficulty of finding proper agencies for negotiating, so that the whole scope of the resolutions ends in nothing but suggesting that, if the enemy will treat, the best agency would be State delegates to a convention ; whereas, the whole and only obstacle is that the enemy will not treat at all, or entertain any other proposition than that we should submit to their yoke, acknowledge that we are criminals, and appeal to their mercy for pardon. After this statement of objections it may appear superfluous to add others of less gravity ; but as you invite a full ex pression of my views, S will add that history is replete with t hastances of the interminable difficulties '`and delays which attend the attempt to negotiate on great and conflicting interests where the parties to the negotiation are num erous. If this has - been the ,case where the parties-possessed full power to con clude a treaty, what can we hope from an assembly of negotiators from thirty or forty States, who, in the midst of an exasperating warfare, are to meet with out power to conclude anything ? In the history of our country we find that in a time of profound peace, when the most cordial brotherhood sentiment ex isted, and when a long and bloody war had been broughtfto a triumphant close, it required two years, to assemble a convention and bring its de liberations to an end, and an other year to procure the ratification of their labors. With such a war as the present in progress, the views of the large assemblage of negotiators proposed would undergo constant changes accord ing to the vicissitudes, according to the struggle, and the attempt to secure con cordant views would soon be abandoned and have the parties more embittered then ever, less hopeful of the possibility of successful negotiation. Again, how is the difficulty resulting from the con flicting pretensions of the two bellig erents in regard to " several of the States to be overcome? Is it supposed,. that Virginia would enter intoa convention with a delegation from what our enemies choose to term the. State of West Virginia, atid thus le cognize an insolent and violent dis membermentof her territory? Or would the United States consent that West Virginia should be deprived of her pre tensions to equal rights after having formally admitted her as a State, and allowed her to vote at a Presidential election? Who would send a delega tion from Louisiana, Tennessee, Ken tucky or Missouri? The enemy claim to hold the governments of those States, while we assert them to be mem bers of the Confederacy. Would dele gates be received from both sides? If so, there would soon be a disruption of the convention. If delegates are receiv ed from neither side, then a convention of the States most vitally interested in the result would remain unrepresented, and what value could be attached to mere recommendations of a body of ne gotiators under such circumstances?— Various other considerations suggest themselves, but enough has been said to justify my conclusion that the propo sal of separate State action is unwise, impracticable, and offers no prospect of good to counterbalance its manifold in jurious consequences to-the cause of our country. Very respectfullyyours, JEFFERSON . DAVIS Mr. Foote Before the Rebel Congress. In the Rebel Congress, on Thursday last, Mr. Barksdale, of Miss., offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Elections : WHEREAS, Henry S. Foote a mem ber of the Houseof Representatives from the State of Tennessee, after a formal declaration of his purpose to abandon his seat, did, without leave and in con tempt of the rules of the House, so ab sent himself, and was arrested by the military authorities while attempting to pass into the lines of the public ene my, in defiance of the laws of the Con federate States ; therefore, he it sofred, That Henry S. Foote, in view of his conduet as aforesaid, de serves the censure of this House, and it is the sense of this body that he should no longer continue a member of it. Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, desired to speak to a question of high privilege.— His own privilege and that of the House had been assailed, and he wished to deny all matters connected therewith before the House, and vindicate his honor and reputation. The Speaker decided that, as the mem ber had stated that he was detained from attendance on the sessions of the House by the influence of certain par ties, he was entitled to speak. Mr. Foote said that the privilege of his seat on this floor as a representative of a sovereign State had been attempted to be taken away from him. That State was proud of her sovereignty, and he still enjoyed the confidence of his people and constituency. But thirty-five members of the House, in a manner unprecedented—some of them his bitter and personal enemies of long standing —had voted to sustain the statement that he had no privileges as a member of this House. He had gone from this city, by the advice of friends, to take his wife to a portion of the country where she might, with possibility, get through the lines to Alexandria, and thence to Nashville, where her friends and children were. He had then in tended to make an effort to get as near to Washington as possible, to see if he could not be allowed to go to Washing ton, in order to find out the state of feeling in regard to a compromise between the North and South, and to endeavor to bring about some terms of peace. He had written a letter stating his intention, but finding afterwards that they intended to force him to take the oath at Alexandria, which he never intended to do, he determined to adopt another plan. He had then added a postcript to his letter to the Speaker resigning his_seat as a member of the House. Subsequently he was arrested by two young men, who were gentle manly and courteous. He told them he was a member of Congress, and what were his intentions. They said they thought he ought to be allowed to pro ceed, but that they had orders to detain him. He was taken to Fredericksburg, where he explained his intentions to Captain Doggett, who, after hearing his case, said he would release him ; but, said he, "I have received a telegram from Mr. Seddon to hold on to you." The telegram is as follows: Captain H. S. Doggett— Detain H. S. Foote'until further orders. , JAS. A. SEDDON,Secretary of War. Therefore he was detained. He had then regained possession of his letter of resignation, which had not been brought to Richmond nnder guard, and had been released this morning. It had been stated that Mr. Seddon said he did not detain him. Here was proof to the contrary. He intended to carry out his plans on his own responsibility. He knew that if he failed his name would be maligned and held up to the con tempt of the South. He might have to die on the scaffold ; yet he was willing to risk all. Dulcc et decorum eat pro putria Tnori (It is sweet and honorable to die for one's country). He intended to ask, at the close of his speech, for leave of absence for two months to visit his constituents, or to get as near Nash ville as possible, to consult with them. He had been induced to take the steps he had taken, and was about to take, from pure' love of the South. He had sons in the army. His whole feelings and interests were with the South, and it would never be otherwise. He had become alarmed at the state of affairs. He did not want to see emancipation in the South. He could not bear the thought of recon struction, and he wanted to see if some thing could not be done towards bring ing about a peace. He was so unfortu nate as not to be in very good odor with the administration. Mr. Davis had not forgotten that he had once beaten him for Governor of Mississippi. He had not forgiven him for defeating the bill giving him a portion of his salary in gold. Mr. Memminger had been forced to resign his position ; and as to Mr._ Seddon, he (Mr. Foote) had introduced, about two months ago, a resolution making inquiry into Mr. Seddon's ac tion, and had proved, by official inves tigation, that Mr. Seddon, on the 2d day of August last, had been paid forty dol lars a bushel for his own wheat, when by his own order wheat was being im pressed in Georgia and North Carolina at seven dollars a bushel. Mr. Foote was here called to order, and could not proceed except by a vote of the House. He therefore said he would close his remarks, and ask leave of absence, as indicated by him. Mr. Snead, of Mo., moved a resolution of censure. Mr. Foote said he would not now ask leave of absence, but if the House saw fit to expel him it had as well do so at once. Mr. Snead then moved the following: Whereas, Henry S. Foote, a member of this House from the State of Tennes see, having absented himself from it without leave, and having, by his own admission, written and forwarded to the Speaker a letter tendering his resigna tion as a member of the House, and was thereafter arrested while attempting to pass to the enemy's capital ; Resolved, That said Henry S. Foote is unworthy to occupy a seat upon the floor of this House, and he is hereby expelled. Mr. McMullin, of Va., attempted to address the House. Mr. Foote desired his friend to say nothing in his favor, as he wished the resolution of expulson to be adopted; and he wished it to be understood - that it was introdued by a member from Missouri, who had no constitutional right to a seat on this floor. Mr. Foote then passed out of the House, remarking that It was the last time he would appear in •the House, under any circumstances. On motion of Mr. Gilmer, of N. C. the resolution of Mr. Snead was referred to the Committee on Elestions—yeas 44, nays 80. NWIBER 4. Idiosyncrasies in San Francisco. One's eyes are quickly blinded to the peculiarities of life in San Francisco, I no longer stare at the immense Mexican woman who sprawls on the ground near the post office, smoking a huge cigar and stretching out her hands for alms. I no longer pause to gaze on the gray hair and benign and noble face of " Uncle Freddy Cooms," who, with the flickering light of insanity in his eyes, goes about in full continental costume, with neat buckskin breeches, coat and vest, tasseled boots and three-cornered hat, the very picture of one of our revolutionary noblemen. Nor do I stop on meeting his less attractive rivals. As untidy as Uncle Fred is neat, " the Emperor Norton, the king of all the Chinese, who issues pompous proclamations in English, himself a European, with more hair on the end of his nose than-all Chinadom has on its chin, whogoes about in filthy regiment als, with immense epaulets, and lugging what John Bunyan would surely accept as " a grievous crab-tree cudgel." The old Mexican governor whose a gents are quietly smuggling powder and arms from San Francisco into the regions of Maxi milian—the Chinese washerman, iron ing his clothes with a great frying-pan full of charcoal, sprinkling them by filling his mouth with water, and spitting it, dexterously and evenly forth in e. fine mist, through his clenched teeth—the Chinese women the only ones we outside bar barians are permitted to see, girls from twelve to fourteen years old, rocking along on their funny little shoes, with clean silk handkerchiefs on their heads, abandoned women all, yet seemingly with no consciousness of sin or shame in their eyes, the beautiful little Chinese children, so sportive, inquisitive, and gentle, with rich caps, crimson and blue with queues of crimson silk—the semi- Spanish Sundays, when every hotel runs up its flags and streamers, when all the bands are tooting, theatres open—the brownness of the audience in Platt's Hall, which looks as though one of those great sand hills had been inverted like a huge pepper-box over them—all these seem no longer peculiar to one who has lived four months in San Francisco. And time flies here, if anywhere. The days seem to twinkle as they pass. The uniform temperature, the absence of any visible change, from May till No vember, make it impossible to remem ber what month it is; while these Italian skies, bright but not blazing, the bracing air, the stimulating sur roundings of every sort, quicken the physical We, give zest to all enjoyments, and make San Francisco, despite its vast amount of home sickness and dis appointment, one of the happiest places on earth. No one could know it and not love it.—California Christian In quirer. Damascus Blades While so much attention is directed to the manufacture of new weapons of war, it is somewhat curious to note the fact that the method of making the best swords is a loSt art, and all the skill of modern times is insufficient to recover it. While we have been making great dis coveries and improvements in the man ufacture of steel, it is remarkable that neither England nor any other country can produce an article equal to the Damascus blades which are so celebra ted in history, nor has Damascus itself been able for several ceuturies past to make even a poor imitation of the work for which it was once so celebrated. These blades are no myth, as some persons have imagined. They still exist numerous and highly priied, in the hands of the descendants of Saracen chieftains and Eastern princes, and not unfrequently are shown in European collections. We have a specimen lying before us—a short blade, rather a long knife than a sword, of that peculiar steel which modern art cannot produce. The peculiarity of the Damascus weapon is not only the beautiful surface, showing myriads of waving and zig zag lines, running through the metal, but the elas ticity and temper of the steel surpass all other kinds, and show such a union of sharp edge with great elasticity as no modern art can equal. The point of a sword could be bent to touch the hilt, and spring back to its straight line, and the same sword would cut through an ordinary steel weapon without harming its keen edge, or would pass with as tounding facility through asilk shawl or handkerchief thrown into the air, severing it with a swift, sharp cut.— Scott's story of Saladin's sword, in the Talisman, is not an invention of the romancer. Very many and expensive experi ments have been made to recover the art of making these blades, but without success, except in the one instance of the experiments of General Anosoff, a Rus sian officer of great ability, who really seemed to succeed in reproducing the old Damascus steel. But even he was unable to do it with sufficient certainty and regularity to leave his discoveries behind him in such a shape as to be of practicalvalue to the world. For since his death inlBsl, the Siberian works, which he superintended, have failed wholly to produce the required article, and the manufacture of such blades has entirely ceased. The theories of different r ersons had been that the peculiar Lines and veins in the Damasons weapons were pro duced by some intermixture of other metals with the steel. General Anosoff, after examination, came to the conclu sion that they were but the marks of the crystallization, or the lines of carbon among the lines of steel crystals. He invented a system of corbonization, which produced steel with the lines visible, and then washing the blade with acid he brought out more distinct ly these marks of the peculiar manu- facture. His works at Zlataoust became celebrated as the Birmingham and Shef field of the Oural country, and the steel blades, arms, razors, and cutlery of vari ous kinds there made, were unquestion ably the best products of the modern world. The General was accustomed to exhibit to his visitors the exquisite perfection of his work by performing the feat of cutting through a gauze vail in the air with one of his swords---a feat which no British steel could be made to perform ; and he would also hew nails, bones, and other hard substances, with the same sword, without turning or nicking the edge. The highest au thorities, speaking of Anosoff's steel, say that the result of his discoveries was " to impress on cast steel the elastic properties of a softer material." Capt. Abbott, a British officer highly compe tent to judge on this subject, said " the fault of European blades is that, being forged of shear steel for the sake of elasticity, they are scarcely per ceptible of the keen edge which cast steel will assume. T e ge nius of Anosoff has triumphed over this objection, not in hardening the soft steel, but in giving elasticity to the hard; and it may be doubted• whether any fabric in the world can' compete with that of Zlataoust in the production of weapons combining an equal degree of edge and elasticity." Capt. Abbott also states. that he saw several of the rejected blades submitted to the break ing engine, to be re-cast, and that they were " bent double, and book again, Nev. 'SATIN' or ADVERTISINGLe Iltreinme - An9mzentarmons,:tl2=ir...yeer per .aquare of ten lines; ten per cent. thereene for Bash ESTATE, 1 1 EIESONAII PEOPEETTAIId Ozer max. Anvzhinsuria; 7 eente a -line for the first, and 4 cents far _cw34 , obeeqiient laser- PATENT MIEDIEEM3 and other 4:Avers tie One column, l. 8100 Hall column, 1 60 Third column, I year,-----... 40 ga zum rter column,Tr ro4;ql . ..._ , see • ten lines or . JESS, SO one year 10 Business Cards, five Bnes orless, one' LEGAL- km; omiliTsfarlam— Executors' notices , Administrators' notices:, Assignees' notices, Auditors' notices, Other "Notices," ten lines, or less, three time 5,...... -..-..- ..... . ... 1.50 eral times before they could be divided." The death of Anosoff seems to have committed this art again to oblivion.— His proeesses are well known, and his blades are prized in Russia and among the Eastern princess as fully equal, both in beauty and in temper, to the most celebrated of the Damascus blades. But the art does not obey the will of the successors of Anosoff, and for the pres ent we have nowhere in the world a manufacturer of Damascus blades.—.N. I'. Journal of Commerce. Chinese and American Official Corrup- Every one's ears are made to tingle from day to day by some new report of fraud and villainy perpetrated in our Customs Houses, our Navy Yards and navy agencies, and by officials, con tractors and employees of every grade and in every department of the public service. The heart sickens over the shameful details, as they appear in the papers, and sinks almost into despair in view of the dark future of our country. Virtue and patriotism expire together, and good government perishes with good morals. An old gentleman, un happily rather skeptical, remarked the other day that he had disbelieved here tofore in the existence of old Sodom and Gomorrah, but he could doubt no long er. If they did not exist in a by-gone age, they certainly did in the present it not in Asia, certainly in the United States ; for he saw them with his. own eyes, and was compelled to wade as best - le could through their depths of putrid ty and foulness. But official corruption is not confined to our own country. This beyond all other causes has been the curse of the gre empire of China, for ages, and thffillgh the rebellion which it created, has brought it to the very verge of de struction. Everything became venal with the Emperor and the court, down to the lowest officials; and literary de grees, which are accessary for civil and military positions of every grade, were as saleable as any articles inithe market. Even the essays prepared for the ex aminations were manufactured to order, and accepted by the mandarins who presided over the extuninations, even when they were known to be spurious. In this way they introduced their own sons and favorites into public life; or else filled their own deep pockets with the bribes which were offered. A striking illustration is furnished by Ki-cheu, a leading member of the imperial cabinet during the English opium war, which commenced in 1844). The narrative is contained in an interesting French work before us, which was found by a friend in China in 1860. Ki-cheu was descended from a noble Tartarfamily, and was about forty years old. Remarkable for his tine and manly exterior, he united the most finished politeness, the most insinuating man ners, amenity which nothing could disturb, and the appearance of extreme deferencefor the opinions of others, with the utmost obstinacy in his own. En dowed with remarkable sagacity, inex haustible resources and expedients, a courtier and at the same time a man of business, he was distinguished for his practical genius and tact. He was an influential member of the Cabinet, and one of two or three of the most distin guished men of the empire. But his master passion was the love of money, to accumulate which he sacrificed both his honor and all the rivals which stood in his way. He had been raised to the Governor Generalship of several of the most populous and important provinces of the empire, which is oneof the highest and most lucrative positions in the gift of the Emperor. When ~the opium war broke out, he was Governor of the Province of Pe chi-li, in Northern China, in which, the capital of the empire itself is situated. From Pe-chi-li, he was-transferred to the province of Canton, astill higherand more lucrative position, as an acknowl edgment of his services in a certain af fair, when in fact he only deceived and be fooled the Emperor by a false despatch. At length he sold the Island of Hong Kong to the English, which soexasper ated the Emperor, that he wrote on the margin of the last despatch of the Gov ernor General of Canton : " Ki-cheu has sold himself to the barbarians. He deserves death "Let him be condemned and punished." This great statesman and high man darin, who had made his triumphal en trance into Canton in November, 1840, left in March, 1841, with a chain about his neck, as he proceeded on his way to Pekin to undergo a trial.• Here he was condemned to suffer death, which., however, the Emperor, upon second thought, commuted for imprisonment in a common jail, after confiscating and putting into his , "own pockets the im mense wealth which 1 . .i-cheu had ac cumulated by his exactions and op pression in the provinces he had ad ministered. In the palace of this high function ary were found $12,000,000 in gold, silver to the value of 531,400,000, and eleven boxes filled with precious stones. He possessed, besides, a great number of splendid houses, and real estate whose annual income was about $10,000,000. In additon, he had large interests in pawn brokers' houses, which are innumera ble in China, and also in the farming of salt, which is a government monopoly. Besides all, he had the dearer treasure of twenty handsome concubines, which were sold at auction and commanded a high price. In short his whole property was estimated at between forty and sixty millions of dollars, the greater part of which was obtained by unlaw ful means. When the possessor of this immense fortune reached Pekin, he could hardly obtain a few sapeks—the lowest denom ination ofcopper money, and of the value of about a mill—to procure him some thing to era in prison. In the time of his power and fortune, he had enjoyed a sort of premature apotheosis ; for his statue was erected in a temple, where it was allowed to remain after the disgrace of this demigod, among those of the im mortals. Those who had charge of the temple were doubtless aware of the changeable temper of the Emperor, and anticipated the day when his favorite, discarded for a moment, would be re stored to power. In a short time he was attached to the imperial household, and when the issue of the war had fully jus- Afied the views which Ki-cheu had adopted and acted upon, in his official conduct, notwithstanding his oppres sion, his exactions, and corruption, the Emperor sent him as Imperial Commis sioner to Thibet, where the celebrated traveler, Father Hue, found him some time afterwards, and learned of his sue cess in accumulating another brilliant fortune.—N. Y. Journal of Commerce. Oysters Nature provides for the distribution of oysters in a very peculiar manner. Oyster spawn is at first light, and is easily carried from the parent oyster by the tide. Gradually the spawn rises to the surface, and the instant itisexposed to the atmosphere its specific gravity is apparently increased, for it suddenly sinks, and whatever solid substance it first touches in its decent to the bottom, it makes its home, whence it seeks nourishment, and commences growing to maturity. "HEAVEN bless the Wives! they fill our hives with little bees and honey.— They ease life's shocks, they mend our socks, but don't they spend the money ? When we are sick, they heal us quick— that is if they do love us; if not, we die, and yet they cry, and raise tombstones above us." CHILDREN and fools, says the old adage, always tell the truth : ' - " Mother sent me," said a little girl to a neighbor "to ask you to come and take tea with her this evening)' "Did she say what time, my dear ?" " No, ma'am ; she only said she would ask you, and then the thing would be off her mind ; that was all eh* 'aid." 2.00 2.00 2.00 L5O
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